how to add ssl and https in wordpress

## How to Properly Move WordPress from HTTP to HTTPS (Beginner’s Guide)

**By Naveed Ahmed**

**Introduction:**

As a WordPress expert with 15 years of experience, I’ve seen firsthand how vital HTTPS is for website security and SEO. Today, it’s a non-negotiable for any website, especially if you’re collecting user data, running an online store, or simply want to build trust with your audience.

Google has made it clear that websites without SSL certificates are considered “Not Secure,” leading to a negative user experience and potential SEO penalties. In this comprehensive guide, I’ll walk you through every step of moving your WordPress site from HTTP to HTTPS, ensuring a smooth transition and a secure online presence.

**What is HTTPS?**

HTTPS, or Secure HTTP, is an encrypted communication protocol that secures the connection between a user’s web browser and your web server. This encryption makes it extremely difficult for hackers to intercept and steal sensitive data like passwords, credit card information, and other personal details. Think of it as a secure tunnel protecting your data during transmission.

**Why You Need HTTPS and SSL**

There are numerous reasons why HTTPS is essential for your WordPress website:

* **Enhanced Security:** HTTPS protects user data, preventing hackers from accessing sensitive information during transmission. This is critical for e-commerce websites, but also important for any website collecting user details.
* **Improved User Experience:** Modern browsers like Chrome display warnings for websites without SSL certificates, leading to a negative user experience and potential loss of trust.
* **SEO Benefits:** Google prioritizes secure websites in search results. By switching to HTTPS, you’re signaling to Google that your site is trustworthy and secure, potentially leading to higher search rankings.
* **Payment Processing:** Payment gateways like PayPal and Stripe require HTTPS for secure transactions. You can’t accept payments online without a secure connection.
* **Enhanced Trust:** HTTPS builds trust with your visitors, assuring them that their data is safe and secure.

**Requirements for Using HTTPS/SSL on a WordPress Site**

Before you start, you need to secure an SSL certificate for your domain name. Here’s what you need:

1. **SSL Certificate:** This is a digital certificate that verifies your website’s identity and establishes a secure connection. Most WordPress hosting providers offer free SSL certificates. If your host doesn’t, you can purchase one from a trusted provider like Domain.com.
2. **Hosting Provider:** Choose a reputable hosting provider that supports HTTPS and SSL.

**Setting Up WordPress to Use SSL and HTTPS**

Once you have an SSL certificate, you need to configure your WordPress site to use HTTPS. Here are two methods:

### Method 1: Setup SSL/HTTPS in WordPress Using a Plugin

This method is the easiest and highly recommended for beginners.

1. **Install the “Really Simple SSL” Plugin:** Install and activate the Really Simple SSL plugin from the WordPress plugin repository.
2. **Activate the Plugin:** Once activated, visit the **Settings > SSL** page in your WordPress dashboard.
3. **Automatic Configuration:** The plugin will automatically detect your SSL certificate and set up your WordPress site to use HTTPS.

The plugin handles various tasks:

* **SSL Certificate Check:** Ensures your certificate is installed correctly.
* **URL Conversion:** Replaces all HTTP URLs with HTTPS.
* **Redirects:** Creates automatic redirects from HTTP to HTTPS to prevent mixed content issues.
* **Mixed Content Fixes:** Attempts to fix mixed content errors by replacing content on the site as the page is being loaded.

**Important Considerations:**

* **Plugin Reliance:** You need to keep the Really Simple SSL plugin active. Deactivating it will revert your website back to HTTP and bring back mixed content errors.
* **Potential Performance Impact:** While minimal, the plugin’s output buffering technique to fix mixed content errors can slightly affect performance on the first page load. Using a caching plugin can mitigate this.

### Method 2: Set Up SSL/HTTPS in WordPress Manually

This method gives you complete control, but requires more technical knowledge and troubleshooting.

1. **Change WordPress Address and Site Address:** Visit **Settings > General** in your WordPress dashboard. Replace “http” with “https” in both the “WordPress Address (URL)” and “Site Address (URL)” fields. Save your changes.
2. **Configure .htaccess Redirects:** Open your `.htaccess` file using an FTP client or your hosting control panel’s file manager. Add the following code to the end of the file:

“`htaccess

RewriteEngine On
RewriteCond %{HTTPS} off
RewriteRule ^(.*)$ https://%{HTTP_HOST}%{REQUEST_URI} [L,R=301]

“`

**Note:** If you’re using NGINX servers, you need to modify your NGINX configuration file instead.
3. **Force SSL on the Admin Area (Optional):** Open your `wp-config.php` file and add the following code above the “That’s all, stop editing!” line:

“`php
define(‘FORCE_SSL_ADMIN’, true);
“`

This forces all admin pages and login pages to load over HTTPS.

**Troubleshooting Mixed Content Errors**

Even after setting up HTTPS, you might encounter mixed content errors. These occur when your website loads some content (like images, scripts, or stylesheets) over HTTP while the rest of the page is over HTTPS.

**Fixing Mixed Content Errors:**

1. **WordPress Database:** Use the “Search & Replace Everything” plugin to find all instances of “http” in your database and replace them with “https.” This covers images, embeds, and other data stored in your WordPress database.

2. **WordPress Theme:** Use your browser’s Inspect tool to identify mixed content resources. Then, find these URLs in your theme files and replace “http” with “https.”

3. **Plugins:** Contact the plugin author if you find mixed content issues caused by a specific plugin. If the issue persists, consider finding an alternative.

**Submitting Your HTTPS Site to Google Search Console**

You need to tell Google about your website’s move to HTTPS. This ensures Google recognizes the HTTPS version as the primary version of your site and transfers your existing rankings.

1. **Add Your HTTPS Site:** In your Google Search Console account, click “Add a Property” and enter your website’s new HTTPS address.
2. **Verify Ownership:** Choose a verification method, like the HTML tag method. Google will provide you with an HTML code snippet to add to your website’s header.
3. **Add Verification Code:** Install the All in One SEO plugin and go to **All in One SEO > General Settings > Google Search Console**. Paste the verification code into the designated field and save your changes.
4. **Verify in Search Console:** Return to Google Search Console and click “Verify.” Google will confirm your site is verified.
5. **Add HTTP Version:** Add both the HTTPS and HTTP versions of your website to Google Search Console. This ensures Google knows to redirect traffic from the old HTTP version to the new HTTPS version.

**Conclusion**

Moving your WordPress site from HTTP to HTTPS is a critical step for security, user experience, and SEO. By following these steps, you can easily ensure a smooth transition and a secure online presence. Remember, HTTPS is no longer optional – it’s essential for any modern website.

**FAQs**

**h2**

**h3**

**p** How do I get a free SSL certificate?

Most reputable hosting providers offer free SSL certificates. Check with your hosting provider to see if they offer this.

**h3**

**p** Can I use a plugin instead of manually changing my website address?

Yes, the Really Simple SSL plugin is an easy option for beginners. However, you will need to keep the plugin active for the HTTPS setup to remain.

**h3**

**p** What if I have an existing website with content already published over HTTP?

You will need to redirect all HTTP pages to HTTPS using the .htaccess code or your hosting provider’s redirect tool. You should also update your website’s URLs in the WordPress database using a tool like Search & Replace Everything.

**h3**

**p** Will changing to HTTPS affect my SEO rankings?

No, it shouldn’t negatively impact your rankings. Google prioritizes secure websites, so you may even see improvements in your rankings after switching to HTTPS.

**h3**

**p** How do I find out if I have mixed content errors?

You can use your browser’s Inspect tool to find mixed content resources. Look for warnings in the console that indicate content is loading over HTTP.

**h3**

**p** What if I’m still experiencing mixed content errors after following these steps?

Contact your hosting provider or a WordPress developer for assistance. They can help identify and resolve any remaining issues.

**h3**

**p** Do I need to update my sitemaps after switching to HTTPS?

Yes, it’s a good practice to resubmit your sitemaps to Google Search Console to ensure Google is indexing the correct HTTPS version of your site.

**h3**

**p** What are the potential risks of not using HTTPS?

Websites without SSL certificates are vulnerable to security breaches, potential SEO penalties, and negative user experience.

**h3**

**p** How often should I renew my SSL certificate?

SSL certificates have an expiration date. You should renew them before they expire to maintain a secure connection. Most hosting providers automatically renew SSL certificates for you.

**h3**

**p** Is HTTPS secure enough to protect my sensitive data?

Yes, HTTPS is a highly secure standard. It is the industry-standard for protecting sensitive data transmitted online.

**h3**

**p** Can I use a wildcard SSL certificate for multiple subdomains?

Yes, a wildcard SSL certificate can secure multiple subdomains under the same root domain.

**h3**

**p** Is there anything else I need to do after setting up HTTPS?

It’s good practice to monitor your website for any errors or vulnerabilities. You should also regularly update your WordPress core, themes, and plugins to ensure they are secure.

**If you’re interested in learning more about tech news, feel free to visit my website: www.naveedahmed.me.**

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